Mexico’s Transformation in the Shadow of Trump’s America

Mexico bucked the trend of right-wing governments in Latin America on July 1, 2018, when Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) won the presidential election by a landslide. The promises of a ‘radical transformation’, a fight against corruption and greater equality in the nation that was the laboratory of neoliberalism raised expectations, not only in Mexico but around the world. A year later, it's clear that Mexico's role in the world is changing, but its government has confronted unexpected obstacles and intransigent problems. As the US government under Donald Trump moves openly toward a vision of white supremacist, patriarchal and oligarchical rule—with widespread popular support- antagonism toward Mexico, the left and especially immigrants have intensified. Trump's threats to withdraw from the new bilateral trade agreement, impose tariffs on Mexico's exports and close the border to force concessions on migration policy has backed the AMLO government into an uncomfortable corner. How much room for manoeuvre does the AMLO government have? What is Lopez Obrador's vision and is he willing to break with vested interests? Can Mexico become a world leader for progressive change and at the same time avoid confrontation with the Trump administration, as seems to be the strategy? Join us for a discussion of the new role of Mexico in the world -the changes, the hopes and challenges.